Thunder-ten-tronckh's recent activity
-
Comment on What game(s) do you love that you never see brought up in conversation? in ~games
-
Comment on Is Victor Wembanyama actually the truth? Or are we gonna get burned again? in ~sports.basketball
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentMaybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic, but I really think Ja will have his shit together after this suspension. Smart is going to lead by example, and Rose can keep it real with Ja in a way that he...Maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic, but I really think Ja will have his shit together after this suspension. Smart is going to lead by example, and Rose can keep it real with Ja in a way that he has to respect. I think those were lowkey genius acquisitions, despite the Grizzlies' need of a wing. Stabilizing Ja is like priority number one for that organization.
-
Comment on What's a good and/or competitive video game that does not require quick aiming, a lot of actions per minute, or precise motor skills? in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh LinkSquad is my favorite shooter of all time (you could also check out Project Reality, the BF2 mod it comes from). 100 player battles with incredible team play. Every player is on the mic at all...Squad is my favorite shooter of all time (you could also check out Project Reality, the BF2 mod it comes from).
100 player battles with incredible team play. Every player is on the mic at all times. The fun of the game comes from navigating large maps, maneuvering across the battlefield and communicating with teammates. And the action is just so damn cinematic. And there's a nice vibe range in the community from silly to serious.
But unlike so many multiplayer shooters, the focus isn't so much on your technical ability. It's more about your participation. Great for when you want a high-stakes immersive experience that isn't reliant on KDR or quick trigger reflexes.
-
Comment on Tucker Carlson in ~tv
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentSo well said. I know that a common critique of liberal media/talking points from conservatively-minded people is that liberals sometimes pass judgment from a self-assumed position of moral...So well said. I know that a common critique of liberal media/talking points from conservatively-minded people is that liberals sometimes pass judgment from a self-assumed position of moral righteousness. They can call someone a bigot or a racist with minimal rhetorical justification. Watching this video, all I could think of was that it would only further cement that mindset among people who think that way.
And it makes me wonder, what's the purpose of this John Oliver segment? To change peoples' minds? Or to preach to the choir? Because the effect is certainly preaching to the choir, but I'm not sure if that's the intention.
-
Comment on Borat 2 exposes a racist, sexist, but still ultimately inspiring America in ~movies
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentIt's satire. The entire premise of Borat is that the most ridiculous and stereotypical caricature possible could expose genuine aspects of American culture that are equally ridiculous. If...It's satire. The entire premise of Borat is that the most ridiculous and stereotypical caricature possible could expose genuine aspects of American culture that are equally ridiculous. If Kazakhstan and Borat aren't portrayed through an ignorant American perspective, the whole concept loses its teeth.
-
Comment on Vote! (For Joe Biden (Who Sucks!)) in ~humanities
Thunder-ten-tronckh (edited )Link ParentAs someone who detests the two party system, I admire your commitment to abstaining from a D/R vote until it matches your sensibilities. But it seems like there's some inconsistency between your...As someone who detests the two party system, I admire your commitment to abstaining from a D/R vote until it matches your sensibilities.
But it seems like there's some inconsistency between your ideal of not contributing to the duopoly with your vote, and not using your vote to most reliably unseat a president who has fueled political polarization like never before.
You may disagree, but I would argue that taking the most direct path to removing Trump with a D vote actually serves your interests more this election, as you stand to lose much more with Trump than you stand to gain by adding your vote to a third party statistic. From an anti-duopoly perspective.
Not trying to shame you, just curious how you reconcile that.
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh LinkWhile I understand some crunch culture is a true horror story of corporate coercion, I feel like the general concept of crunch is overly-vilified right now. As someone who works in the creative...While I understand some crunch culture is a true horror story of corporate coercion, I feel like the general concept of crunch is overly-vilified right now. As someone who works in the creative field, I think it's rare to casually coast into a deadline when you're trying to make the best work you can possibly make. And at the highest levels of the industry, that's a culture that's as willfully self-inflicted by employees as it is demanded by employers. It's not ideal, and it can be very stressful, but I genuinely don't think you'll ever see it go away. And it's unrealistic to expect it to go away.
That being said, it's not a great look to proudly promise you'll never have crunch again and then promptly require it the following year. And excessive crunch should be scrutinized. But I think the real story here is hypocrisy rather than unethical crunch.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentIt's all about those districts in Civ 6. Read up on their adjacency bonuses in the civilopedia, and try to plan them in advance (campuses by mountains, commercial hubs by rivers and harbors,...It's all about those districts in Civ 6. Read up on their adjacency bonuses in the civilopedia, and try to plan them in advance (campuses by mountains, commercial hubs by rivers and harbors, industrial zones by aqueducts and mines, etc.) to maximize their yields and help youbuild more productive cities that can keep up with the AI. If you need help keeping track of where you plan to build things, use the map tacks feature just above the mini map to add markers for where you want specific buildings to go.
-
Comment on The Witness - A great game that you shouldn't play in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentYou've perfectly summed up my feelings on 75% of TLOU2 videos on YouTube.I can't help but feel pity anytime someone references it to represent their experience with the game, because there is so much that they've missed out on, primarily because they come to the game with a set of (admittedly common) expectations about what a video game is "supposed" to to do instead of playing it on its own merits.
You've perfectly summed up my feelings on 75% of TLOU2 videos on YouTube.
-
Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
Thunder-ten-tronckh LinkKyoto - Phoebe Bridgers: More upbeat than her other songs, with some really satisfying trumpets in the chorus. Timefighter - Lucy Dacus: Her voice is so velvety smooth and the guitar riffs in this...Kyoto - Phoebe Bridgers: More upbeat than her other songs, with some really satisfying trumpets in the chorus.
Timefighter - Lucy Dacus: Her voice is so velvety smooth and the guitar riffs in this thing as it ramps up are so cool. One of my faves.
I Believe in You - Kacy Hill/Francis and the Lights: Classic catchy, synthy, pop-y Francis production, complete with a silly dance.
Guilty Conscience - 070 Shake: Really catchy and ethereal alt hip-hop. 070's voice is super interesting to me, has a cool edge to it.
Unmoved (A Black Woman Truth) - Ayoni: Absolutely gorgeous vocals on this, particularly in the chorus.
Fire in Bone - The Killers: Coolest new Killers song I've heard in a hot minute. Grew on me over multiple listens.
-
Comment on What are the most iconic video game sound effects you can think of? in ~games
-
Comment on Cancel culture is the marketplace of ideas at work in ~humanities
Thunder-ten-tronckh LinkRather than spout my own opinions on cancel culture from the premise of the headline, I'll try to respond directly to the text. I don't know if I buy this. The first point makes sense because it's...Rather than spout my own opinions on cancel culture from the premise of the headline, I'll try to respond directly to the text.
What is noticeable in nearly all the critics of cancel culture is that they refuse to engage with the grounds of indignation. Tactically, one understands this move because it helps ferment polarization (and so opportunities for profit) and cement group identity. Morally it is a mistake because one fails to heed the call of justice. Strategically, it is a worse mistake because one, thereby, misses the causal forces that shape the changing directions of the tectonic plates, which are the sediments of and constraints on the marketplace of ideas, of political life.
I don't know if I buy this. The first point makes sense because it's plain to see the all-or-nothing polarization that cancel culture contributes to in online discourse.
The second point doesn't feel particularly compelling because distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate calls to justice in increasingly-polarized communities (an established consequence of cancel culture) is not easy. Just because a mob has attached to an indignant call to justice doesn't make their assumptions about injustice valid. What if the critic is perfectly aware that they will miss a call to justice by protesting cancel culture, but consider that a necessary evil to combat a social force that dilutes the meaning of justice over time?
And the third point is a head-scratcher for me as well: If I'm reading it correctly, the author is basically saying that refusing to engage in cancel culture prevents one from understanding how the dynamics of discourse shift? Does one need to participate in order to properly observe that? Personally, I'd prefer to observe a 100 car pileup than participate in it. I feel like my understanding of shifting driving dynamics in that situation would be the same.
-
Comment on Reddit releases their new content policy along with banning hundreds of subreddits, including /r/The_Donald and /r/ChapoTrapHouse in ~tech
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentIt's good to see it hasn't really grown much (that I'm aware of). I don't think insular platforms like Voat can really sustain the hateful energy of its users like a dedicated subreddit could. I...It's good to see it hasn't really grown much (that I'm aware of). I don't think insular platforms like Voat can really sustain the hateful energy of its users like a dedicated subreddit could. I think being a part of a larger community to fuel argument, brigading, and attention is a big part of their success. Without that, only the most adamant of extremists will participate—something they'd do anyway.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentIt's incredible. The story is super ambitious, and the way they structured it is one of the more original narrative experiences I can remember. It's not without the odd pacing issues here and...It's incredible. The story is super ambitious, and the way they structured it is one of the more original narrative experiences I can remember. It's not without the odd pacing issues here and there, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There's an attention to detail and a level of craftsmanship in this game that you just don't find in the vast majority of AAA titles, and I think people are taking that for granted.
It really irks me that so many people watched a cut-scene compilation just to validate their opinions on the quality of the story, or watched a biased streamer constantly hate on the game while playing through it. They'll never realize how much of their own agency in forming a genuine opinion on the game has been robbed from them.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentThe game builds empathy toward the characters by making you share their experiences as the player. So much of the relationship building between Joel and Ellie in the first game happens between...The game builds empathy toward the characters by making you share their experiences as the player. So much of the relationship building between Joel and Ellie in the first game happens between cut-scenes as you traverse the levels. Can't recommend playing it enough to get the full experience.
-
Comment on [WARNING - transphobia] Gender critical has been banned - here are some links I’ve collected in ~test
Thunder-ten-tronckh LinkOP, there are many communities you can take this kind of stuff to, where people who think like you will echo your sentiments and give you the support you're probably looking for. But I would...OP, there are many communities you can take this kind of stuff to, where people who think like you will echo your sentiments and give you the support you're probably looking for.
But I would encourage you to think of this website as a place that isn't bogged down by hyperfocusing on identity politics or a specific political agenda. Discussion comes out of thoughtful respect, not out of a false dichotomy of Group X vs. Group Y (XX vs XY in this case, sorry had to).
I think participating in Tildes with that mindset could be beneficial for you. Think of it as a small reprieve from an echo chamber, no matter how much you agree with that echo chamber. This isn't to make a value judgement about what you're posting, but instead to point out that the form of discourse you're engaging in just isn't for this website.
-
Comment on Reddit releases their new content policy along with banning hundreds of subreddits, including /r/The_Donald and /r/ChapoTrapHouse in ~tech
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentI think the "redefining of the -isms" that you mention is generally a good thing. Racism looks a lot different when it evolves from the myopic "white guy thinks X about black person" to "systems...I think the "redefining of the -isms" that you mention is generally a good thing. Racism looks a lot different when it evolves from the myopic "white guy thinks X about black person" to "systems in society that were created by the white guy who thinks X about black people are biased against black people." It reveals silent and systemic discrimination that isn't the white guy thinking X.
The way I unpack it is, in the direction of white --> minorities, you've got the superficial racism of a white person being prejudiced toward minorities, and you've got the societal systems of racism (from housing to employment, etc.) influenced by that prejudice that discriminates on a far deeper level. From this lens, the racism really only goes one way, because the societal racism was created by the majority group.
My big fat HOWEVER, is that the superficial stuff that goes in all directions is clearly cut from the same cloth. It's the same form of racial prejudice, regardless of how reflected/amplified it is in society at large. I am genuinely bothered, rustled even, that the effort to redefine this prejudice as "not racist" by virtue of power imbalance has in many ways excused it in public discourse. There is a genuine double standard, and it's a bridge we're going to have to cross at some point in the future.
-
Comment on The Last of Us Part II tries to be profound. It fails. in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentI had a great time with it, so I'd disagree that it's a waste of the medium. Personally guiding characters through a story like that is what made TLoU1 so memorable for me, and the sequel did it...I had a great time with it, so I'd disagree that it's a waste of the medium. Personally guiding characters through a story like that is what made TLoU1 so memorable for me, and the sequel did it the exact same way. Controlling the narrative so tightly is what allows for acting performances I just don't see in other games. I love that kind of experience, and playing it firsthand helps me connect with the characters in a way I don't get to watching a movie, so I think there's something to be said for its value in video game form.
-
Comment on The Last of Us Part II tries to be profound. It fails. in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentGotcha. I suggest playing a game that actually sets out to give you that experience, rather than judging a game for not delivering on something it never sought to accomplish. TLoU 1 was a very...Gotcha. I suggest playing a game that actually sets out to give you that experience, rather than judging a game for not delivering on something it never sought to accomplish. TLoU 1 was a very tightly controlled narrative experience with zero user influence in the story, and so is the sequel.
Cyberpunk should tick all the right boxes for you when it comes out later this year.
-
Comment on The Last of Us Part II tries to be profound. It fails. in ~games
Thunder-ten-tronckh Link ParentI guess it's an inescapable interpretation considering the medium—players control the characters, and are therefore complicit in their actions. I played the whole game understanding that I, the...I guess it's an inescapable interpretation considering the medium—players control the characters, and are therefore complicit in their actions.
I played the whole game understanding that I, the player, was not choosing to kill all of those people, but instead guiding the characters through their respective stories and actions. So when bad stuff happened to said characters, I never felt like I was being berated—I was just witnessing the consequences of their actions.
You know. Like I'm being told a story.
Where's your uniform?